The Cayes Travelers Recommend

With three days on the island of Ambergris Caye, you’ll have plenty of time to snorkel, swim, soak up the sun—and even check out underwater cave systems and Maya ruins on the mainland. Here are some ideas for your itinerary.

Day 1: Ambergris Caye from Above and Below

Begin your stay at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a popular snorkeling and diving destination replete with coral and tropical fish. For a hassle-free morning, head out on an excursion that includes transport and equipment. After lunch, get a bird’s-eye view of the crystalline waters off the coast of Ambergris Caye on a parasailing tour. Or, treat yourself to a private helicopter ride high above the Belize Barrier Reef and the UNESCO-listed Blue Hole, the largest oceanic sinkhole on the planet. 

Day 2: Day Trip to the Mainland

Make your way to the mainland for a day of ruin exploration and jungle adventure. Most tours begin in the morning at the fantastically preserved Maya ruins of Xunantunich, followed by a typical Belizean lunch at a local restaurant. Some also include the chance to go ziplining over the rain forest canopy, or inner-tubing through cave systems. If you’re back in Ambergris Caye in time for dinner, make a beeline for the Truck Stop, a food cart pod with lots of options and outdoor seating.

Day 3: Secret Beach

Now for some quality beach time. The most popular spot is Secret Beach, where you’ll find bars, lounge chairs, and opportunities for water sports—you can even prebook a floating mattress with a table. Later, if you can peel yourself off the sand, join a late-afternoon barhopping boat tour. Fishing enthusiasts might opt for a full-day excursion, some of which include a barbecue lunch and swimming stops. In the evening, either head into San Pedro for a seafood dinner or sign up for a local cooking class. 

With its beautiful beaches, abundance of local eateries, and easy access to fantastic snorkeling, scuba diving, and water-sports opportunities, it’s easy to find ways to spend your time on Ambergris Caye. But with even just one day on Belize’s largest island, you’ll be able to experience some of the best it has to offer. Here’s how. 

Morning: Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Start your day off with a visit to the expansive Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a short boat ride south of Ambergris Caye. This popular snorkeling and diving area is known for its variety of tropical fish and coral, particularly in the Maya and Shark Ray Alley areas. A variety of options exist for visiting the reserve, with plenty of half- and full-day snorkeling trips; for something a little different, consider a tour by Snuba, a sort of hybrid scuba-snorkeling device with an air hose that allows even inexperienced divers to go deeper than they could with a regular snorkel.

Afternoon: View from the Sky

In the afternoon, head back to shore for lunch. While you may want to spend the rest of the day lazing around on the beach, it's worth at least considering changing your perspective of Ambergris Caye by viewing it from the sky. Options include parasailing adventures suitable even for first-time fliers. If you’re willing to splurge, you can also hire a helicopter to take you on a private tour out over the Belizean Barrier Reef and the gargantuan Blue Hole, the world's largest oceanic sinkhole and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening: Culinary San Pedro

Devote your evening to trying out some local food. The San Pedro town center has all sorts of options, from locally caught seafood to empanadas made to order; it’s also a good spot to pick up a bottle of Belize’s famous Marie Sharp’s hot sauce. For a more immersive experience, you can join a cooking class and learn how to make Belizean fare yourself, including the ever-popular fry jacks (deep-fried dough). The carts at the Truck Stop, a food-cart pod made of shipping containers, are another great place to sample local delights.

With two days on Ambergris Caye, you’ll have enough time to check out the popular Hol Chan Marine Reserve, try out local food, get some beach time in, and maybe even try out some water sports. Here’s one way to plan your time on this Belizean island. 

Day 1: Underwater and Above the Water

**Morning:**Start with a boat trip out to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a popular snorkeling and diving destination full of underwater life. There's no shortage of snorkeling-trip options available, but if you want to get down to the depths of the sea, consider a Snuba adventure, in which swimmers dive attached to 20-foot-long (6-meter-long) oxygen hoses.

**Afternoon:**After your aquatic adventure, grab a quick lunch and get ready for more adventure. Choose among a variety of water sports available in the area, or consider a parasailing adventure for great views of the island and the waters below. For something extra special, splurge on a helicopter tour over the Belizean Barrier Reef.

**Night:**By the time night begins to fall, you'll have likely worked up an appetite. Fortunately, Ambergris Caye's main town, San Pedro, is full of places to eat, especially if you’re fond of seafood. Alternatively, join a cooking class and learn how to make popular Belizean fare yourself.

Day 2: Sea and Sun

**Morning:**On your second morning, head out to Secret Beach, which, despite its name, is the most popular beach on the island, owing to its crystalline waters and numerous beach bars; you can even rent pedal boats and sunbed mattresses with floating tables (prebook them to guarantee availability).

**Afternoon:**It's easy to spend your whole day at Secret Beach, though by the time the afternoon rolls around, you may feel like hitting up some local bars. For an unusual experience, consider a guided bar crawl by boat.

**Evening:**Make your last dinner on Ambergris Caye something special by heading out to the lagoon on a barbecue boat, a special round boat with a barbecue at the center. A captain will come along for safety and to show you the best places to stop and grill.